McHenry watch. Education.

Science Nights Find The Right Formula

Science can be a scary subject for some parents, but a Johnsburg school has helped parents learn they don't have to be Einsteins to share science with their kids.

The Ringwood School in Johnsburg decided to help the district's parents of kindergartners and 1st graders with several classroom subjects by offering a series of informational evening classes.

"We had classes in reading, math and science," said principal Karen Parks. "Our science nights had a great response: Nearly 80 people attended each of the three sessions."

Each session focused on a particular theme, which included a create-your-own science experiment using everyday materials from home and units on astronomy and building.

"The sessions allowed the parents to see some of what we do in the classroom and gives them ideas of what they could do at home to extend the lessons," said Mary Alice Stone, a 1st-grade teacher.

After attending a workshop on the national Family Science Night program, learning center director Cathy Kitterman and 1st-grade teacher Lynn Froeming developed the three units.

"Our goal was to help the parents overcome their fears of science," said Kitterman. "We showed them simple science concepts that students could be taught using hands-on manipulatives that are found at home."

"We set up the experiments and gave the families some basic perimeters, but we're basically the facilitators," said Froeming. "We want to let the kids and families explore."

In the building unit, pupils and parents built bridgelike structures using chickpeas and toothpicks.

"We challenged participants to see how big a structure they could build and which structures could hold the most weight," said Kitterman.

"All participants needed to build a cube and a pyramid, but one family created a Ferris wheel," said Froeming.

Using helium-filled balloons, participants then used the trial-and-error process to discover how much weight would keep a balloon from floating to the ceiling.

An astronomy unit took advantage of the appearance of the comet Hale-Bopp and a mini-planetarium provided by the Kishwaukee Intermediate Delivery System.

"The inflatable planetarium projects the stars on the ceiling and allowed us to show the participants how to locate the comet as well as the North Star, Big and Little Dipper and the constellations," said Stone.

Stone expanded the lessons by sharing and then comparing Chinese and Native American myths and legends about some of the constellations.

"Several students came back to school and explained how their families went out and looked for the stars," said Stone. "These activities help to open many people's eyes about things to do other than watching TV."

"My family thought the planetarium was awesome," said Joyce Kohler, parent of a David, a 1st grader at Ringwood School, and Alice, a 6th grader.

"I'm naturally fascinated with science, and these classes will help me to get the kids interested in science at home," Kohler said. "The sessions also gave me some ideas of things I can do with the kids during the summer."

Although everyone was learning about the scientific method and practicing problem solving, they were also having fun.

"Science isn't as intimidating as some people think it is," said Kitterman. "It was fun to see the kids thinking and the families working together. In fact, some parents got into it so much, they briefly lost sight of what the kids were doing."